Based on the BBC series "Criminal Justice," HBO's eight-part production "The Night Of" stars John Turturro ("O Brother, Where Art Thou?") and Riz Ahmed ("Nightcrawler") in a story about a complex New York City murder case with cultural and political overtones. A night that begins innocently for Pakistani-American college student Nasir "Naz" Khan turns horrific after he meets a mysterious young woman. In custody and awaiting his formal arraignment, Naz realizes that his survival -- or perhaps his demise -- rests not with his attorney, John Stone, but with a particular inmate at Rikers Island.

In case we've already met the killer in ep.01, which I obviously can't know I'm thinking right now that

- girl was obviously murdered because of the inflicted wounds (don't think that's possible to do by yourself - also no reason for her to bring Naz into this mess); it remains to be seen whether with her consent (appeared highly suicidal all the time) or not
- I don't think that Naz did it
- I don't think the two black guys have anything to do with it at all. The one that showed up (dude from The Wire) just didn't mention his friend because they did/bought drugs or something along that line
- the scene at the gas station (her throwing the cig at the pavement) will be used later to highlight her suicidal tendency; or that funeral dude was that mad that he followed the couple to commit such a heinous revenge (joking)
- I do think the neighbor was a bit suspicous
- and I do can see this leading to Naz' conviction although we as the audience will likely see him innocent thus not a happy end

Staff Member

I just watched the first three episodes this week and found it to be very compelling to watch. I really love the cinematography and the style in which sound/music is used; it really plays into the drama of it all.

Watching Naz learn to deal with a cruel world in lockup and more so at Rikers is very interesting and I'm equally intrigued to watch Detective Box go through the investigation piecing all the parts together to figure out what really happened. Though it seems clear that he believes Naz is guilty and has said as much to the DA, he still needs a strong case for conviction. But all he has is circumstantial evidence at this point - strong circumstantial evidence.

Based on the BBC series "Criminal Justice," HBO's eight-part production "The Night Of" stars John Turturro ("O Brother, Where Art Thou?") and Riz Ahmed ("Nightcrawler") in a story about a complex New York City murder case with cultural and political overtones. A night that begins innocently for Pakistani-American college student Nasir "Naz" Khan turns horrific after he meets a mysterious young woman. In custody and awaiting his formal arraignment, Naz realizes that his survival -- or perhaps his demise -- rests not with his attorney, John Stone, but with a particular inmate at Rikers Island.

I honestly loved this series, thought the acting was outstanding and the situations realistic. It was about so much more than the crime. But one thing that struck me is why no one on the defense brought up the fact that Naz did not appear to have any blood on himself or his clothing. It seems such an obvious thing. The bloodbath was horrific and yet nothing on him. the only tissue the forensic expert notes was that it was the victim's skin and blood on the mumbledy-peg knife. did i miss something?

Every time I think about how horrendously expensive my cable TV subscription has become, a show like The Night Of comes along.

General thoughts:

There won't be a Season Two. Great! As much as I loved this show, and found so many of the characters fascinating, it's best that we, as an audience, don't get to sit through an in-depth character arc. We don't need to know more about District Attorney Helen Weiss' personal life. I don't need to know how Freddy Knight deals with his inevitable transfer to NY state prison. The show told a story, it told it well, and now it's over. And all the actors and writers and directors can go on to making another story, about different characters.

Michael Kenneth Williams is one of the most compelling actors working today. It's truly amazing how this guy can take any role and turn it into a fully formed human being. I'd just, for once, like to see him playing someone other than a criminal.

For a show about a horrifying murder and our flawed criminal justice system, there were very few villains. There were plenty of world-class A-holes. Don Taylor (Andrea's stepfather) being exhibit A. The creepy hearse driver and Duane Reade rounding out the list. But the DA wasn't evil. Detective Box certainly wasn't. Nor was the high-priced attorney Alison Crowe. They were all people trying to do their best according to the rules as they understood them.

I'm glad things worked out for Andrea's cat. Hollywood endings aren't very realistic. But I was still glad to see that little dander-spewing monster scamper across the screen right before the credits rolled.

Staff Member

I thoroughly enjoyed the limited series, though in a weird sort of way I was slightly disappointed by the ending and how the jury ended up. Though, that does happen in real life I was hoping for a little more dramatic ending and had a few theories of my own as to how it was going to end.

I had once thought that Nas would have been killed while on the island, probably just as he was going to be acquitted was one thought I had, among a few variations of him dying and the juries outcome.

But overall, the series was fantastic and I love these dramatic limited series that keep you going, but don't string you along forever.

agreed, I too thought he would get stabbed when leaving rikers..the camera certainly played its part there.

Loved the show and will definitely rewatch it sooner than later. There were many great moments (ending with the cat was a freebee!) but when Dr. Katz went into the stand i was rooting so hard for that guy!

Bummer about no season two (confirmed already?), I thought it could somewhat work as an anthology like True Detective.

agreed, I too thought he would get stabbed when leaving rikers..the camera certainly played its part there.

Loved the show and will definitely rewatch it sooner than later. There were many great moments (ending with the cat was a freebee!) but when Dr. Katz went into the stand i was rooting so hard for that guy!

Bummer about no season two (confirmed already?), I thought it could somewhat work as an anthology like True Detective.

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Limited series. It's only one story. If True Detective is any indication, we should be thrilled it's only a limited series.

agreed, I too thought he would get stabbed when leaving rikers..the camera certainly played its part there.

Loved the show and will definitely rewatch it sooner than later. There were many great moments (ending with the cat was a freebee!) but when Dr. Katz went into the stand i was rooting so hard for that guy!

Bummer about no season two (confirmed already?), I thought it could somewhat work as an anthology like True Detective.

Limited series. It's only one story. If True Detective is any indication, we should be thrilled it's only a limited series.

Click to expand...

Well, it's based on a UK series "Criminal Justice" which actually had 2 seasons, so you never know (although the 2nd season of the UK series didn't get as much critical recognition, even though it seems like it was seen as quite good nonetheless.)

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